Of all the catastrophic injuries a person can suffer, a spinal cord injury is often the worst of the worst. These devastating injuries can have a negative impact not just on the person who suffers the injury but on everyone who cares for them. That is why it is so exciting to see some of the newly tested robot technology that could actually change the way these injuries are treated.
Keep reading to learn more, and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you or a loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury and require a free legal consultation.
The Basics of the Breakthrough
We will get into more detail below, but in a nutshell, the breakthrough is that a robot-like machine might be able to help people with spinal injuries regain sensation and mobility. This is done with something like brain training that actually reteaches the person’s brain how to move their extremities even with a significant spinal cord injury.
The Research They Are Completing
Researchers worked with patients who have motor or sensory function issues in their lower extremities. The researchers showed the subjects how to visualize moving muscles as the subjects wore virtual reality goggles. While doing so, the researchers provided a touch for positive confirmation on the arms of the subjects.
The goal is for the brain to create signals that could be detected by electrodes, which then results in the robotic apparatus moving muscles. The result was that many of the subjects in the study were able to voluntarily control their muscles. Some of the subjects had been paralyzed for more than a dozen years.
The Real Question: Does This Work?
Researchers involved in the program report that success is plausible and that the results are interesting, but the long-term good is far from clear. Many of the participants in the study had tried other interventions too, which can make it hard to determine how much of their improvement was due to the robotic technology. Any way you put it, more research is required.
If You Have Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury You Should Have Access to the Latest Medical Breakthroughs
One of the reasons that it is important for the victim of an accident to seek compensation for their damages is that they can afford to make the most of the latest medical breakthroughs. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury due to another party’s negligence, now is the time to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas and find out what your options are.
You can reach Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now for a free legal consultation. We are ready to answer your questions and help you find the best way forward.
